What do you think?
Rate this book
If Two of Them Are Dead
Called to Hyde Park, New York, ex-Air Corpsman turned detective Victor Van Voorhis comes to only three conclusions about his newest the gulf between his status and the wealthy Westbrook family is no trifling matter; someone brutally killed a young mother; and the victim’s brother-in-law is one of the most intriguing men Victor has ever met.
Inventor Abraham Westbrook lost his wife five years ago and is worried about the effect another death in the family will have on his children. He spends most of his time tinkering with steamships, but even his inventions can’t distract him from wishing Victor was in his life for any reason other than a murder investigation—one where Abraham himself is a suspect. He’s hidden his desires all his life, but no longer. Somehow, he’ll catch the detective’s eye.
With murder standing between them and a killer stalking the Westbrooks, Abraham and Victor’s chance at happiness could go up in steam.
Inventor Abraham Westbrook lost his wife five years ago and is worried about the effect another death in the family will have on his children. He spends most of his time tinkering with steamships, but even his inventions can’t distract him from wishing Victor was in his life for any reason other than a murder investigation—one where Abraham himself is a suspect. He’s hidden his desires all his life, but no longer. Somehow, he’ll catch the detective’s eye.
With murder standing between them and a killer stalking the Westbrooks, Abraham and Victor’s chance at happiness could go up in steam.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2014
44 people want to read
About the author
Jana Denardo
38 books37 followersJana Denardo's career choices and wanderlust take her all over the United States and beyond. Much of her travels make their way into her stories. Fantasy, science fiction, and mystery have been her favorite genres since she started reading, and they often flavor her works. In her secret identity, she works with the science of life and gives college students nightmares. When she’s not chained to her computer writing, she functions as stray cat magnet. She’s also learning that the road to enlightenment is filled with boulders she keeps falling over and that the words gardening and Zen don’t go together no matter what anyone says.
Visit Jana's blog at http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/.
Visit Jana's blog at http://jana-denardo.livejournal.com/.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 10, 2014
Between a 2.5 and 3 star rating.
This story falls in the historical steampunk genre which is a favorite of mine, combined with a procedural murder investigation which was so numbingly formal that it didn't even inspire my curiosity. The writing style didn't help either. It was stilted and dry, the sex scenes were cold and unemotional - they were descriptive, but not sensual to the point that I could have easily done without them. At the end, I just wanted to finish this book, so it wasn't a dnf. I would have liked to feel something for the characters, for Victor, the down-to-earth, practical detective, and for Abraham, the brilliant inventor, but I didn't...
This story falls in the historical steampunk genre which is a favorite of mine, combined with a procedural murder investigation which was so numbingly formal that it didn't even inspire my curiosity. The writing style didn't help either. It was stilted and dry, the sex scenes were cold and unemotional - they were descriptive, but not sensual to the point that I could have easily done without them. At the end, I just wanted to finish this book, so it wasn't a dnf. I would have liked to feel something for the characters, for Victor, the down-to-earth, practical detective, and for Abraham, the brilliant inventor, but I didn't...
May 4, 2016
Who killed Permelia Westbrook? Could it be her husband, who was forced into the marriage by his family? Her friends, who seems to be swimming in vicious secrets? Or could it be her brother-in-law, a man who spends his days tinkering away in his workshop and who admittedly could not stand his brother’s wife? Whoever did the dirty deed, Detective Victor Van Voorhis is on the case and determined to get down to the truth. Even with the high and mighty, that make up Westbrook’s social circle, doing everything in their power to redirect, obfuscate, and dodge his pursuit.
But if there is one thing the detective didn’t plan on coming up against, it his undeniable attraction to Abraham Westbrook, brother-in-law to the unfortunate dead woman. And even if acting on his attraction is breaking the very law he swore to uphold, going after the rich man is just asking for trouble. Where would a rich inventor and a lowly police detective ever find common ground, anyways?
Perhaps in the skies…
You had me at steampunk. Airships, automatronics, crazy inventions run off of steam and gears…it is like heaven. When you throw in a murder mystery that keeps me on my toes, well then, I am bound to enjoy the ride.
For the most part I really liked this story. They mystery was worked very well, and I was never really sure who was going to pull out their black hat till the very end. Despite the fact that everyone seemed determined to throw Van Vooris (and can I just say that Victor’s name is just fun to say) he never let himself be dragged off of his pursuit. Even if he did get into some airship hanky-panky before it was strictly professional—-and with a suspect! *shocked gasp*
I did have a hard time feeling the chemistry between Abraham and Victor for a large portion of the story. When they finally got around to the sex, it was hot, but leading up to it…I just wasn’t feeling it. They talked about how attractive they found each other, and how badly they’d like to pounce on the other man like Growltiger on one of Victor’s wind-up birdies, but I couldn’t feel it. Maybe I needed a little more physical evidence, or something, but the connection between words on the page and me, was a little lacking at time. But yeah, the sex was hot. I am more than happy to award 20 points for inappropriate (and energetic) use of an airship.
There were some times I was a little skeptical about some of the inventions used (a stun ray?) but I do love the steampunk tone of the world. Wish we had gotten more of Abraham’s inventions, because what we saw was pretty cool. Do wish they would come up with a more elegant way of saying horseless carriage, though-—because I think that phrase was reused like fifty times thru the whole story. Very repetitive.
Despite some heat issues between Victor and Abraham, I did like this story. The children were a nice addition, and all the various cast members that flitted thru the story were well written. And the mystery kept me guessing, so I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t get to read nearly enough steampunk, so I will gladly take some more of these two. Please.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
But if there is one thing the detective didn’t plan on coming up against, it his undeniable attraction to Abraham Westbrook, brother-in-law to the unfortunate dead woman. And even if acting on his attraction is breaking the very law he swore to uphold, going after the rich man is just asking for trouble. Where would a rich inventor and a lowly police detective ever find common ground, anyways?
Perhaps in the skies…
You had me at steampunk. Airships, automatronics, crazy inventions run off of steam and gears…it is like heaven. When you throw in a murder mystery that keeps me on my toes, well then, I am bound to enjoy the ride.
For the most part I really liked this story. They mystery was worked very well, and I was never really sure who was going to pull out their black hat till the very end. Despite the fact that everyone seemed determined to throw Van Vooris (and can I just say that Victor’s name is just fun to say) he never let himself be dragged off of his pursuit. Even if he did get into some airship hanky-panky before it was strictly professional—-and with a suspect! *shocked gasp*
I did have a hard time feeling the chemistry between Abraham and Victor for a large portion of the story. When they finally got around to the sex, it was hot, but leading up to it…I just wasn’t feeling it. They talked about how attractive they found each other, and how badly they’d like to pounce on the other man like Growltiger on one of Victor’s wind-up birdies, but I couldn’t feel it. Maybe I needed a little more physical evidence, or something, but the connection between words on the page and me, was a little lacking at time. But yeah, the sex was hot. I am more than happy to award 20 points for inappropriate (and energetic) use of an airship.
There were some times I was a little skeptical about some of the inventions used (a stun ray?) but I do love the steampunk tone of the world. Wish we had gotten more of Abraham’s inventions, because what we saw was pretty cool. Do wish they would come up with a more elegant way of saying horseless carriage, though-—because I think that phrase was reused like fifty times thru the whole story. Very repetitive.
Despite some heat issues between Victor and Abraham, I did like this story. The children were a nice addition, and all the various cast members that flitted thru the story were well written. And the mystery kept me guessing, so I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t get to read nearly enough steampunk, so I will gladly take some more of these two. Please.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
June 12, 2015
Had all the right ideas but the writing felt rather flat.
June 28, 2016
Steam-punk erotica may sound like a very specialized genre, but if the novel has characters with depth and believable motivations, a very readable style, and an intriguing plot, the amazing inventions and hot encounters are icing on the cake, even if you don’t usually look for books with two hot men sharing everything in a dirigible—and if that is what you look for, you won’t be disappointed. Jana Denardo’s If Two of Them Are Dead does all of it and does it well, and throws in some intriguing psychology and a satisfying mystery.
A former airshipman, now a detective, Victor Van Voorhis investigates the murder of a wealthy woman whose brother-in-law, Abraham Westbrook, lost his own wife five years ago and has no plans to remarry.
Westbrook is an inventor, and his creations range from the clever to the amazing. Although the mechanical devices don’t use electricity, sparks fly when the two men meet. But if technology is different in Denardo’s version of the early twentieth century, society is much the same as in our version of that decade, and gay men needed much more discretion than they will in our time.
As Van Voorhis investigates the murder, he encounters more of the wealthy Hyde Park social circle that the Westbooks move in, along with the undisguised snobbery of the period that sees him, a policeman from a recently emigrated Dutch family, as decidedly not of their class.
Denardo’s expert handling of shifting points of view lets us see how Westbrook and Van Voorhis each deal with the growing attraction between the two men as well as Van Voorhis increasing vision of the circumstances that might had led to the murder. As the steam builds in both hidden channels, the reader realizes that they’re headed for more than one unexpected explosion.
Denardo has written a book that is fun to read on many levels—entertaining steam-punk, puzzling mystery, enticing erotica, and many-layered characters. I look forward to reading more books by this fine writer.
A former airshipman, now a detective, Victor Van Voorhis investigates the murder of a wealthy woman whose brother-in-law, Abraham Westbrook, lost his own wife five years ago and has no plans to remarry.
Westbrook is an inventor, and his creations range from the clever to the amazing. Although the mechanical devices don’t use electricity, sparks fly when the two men meet. But if technology is different in Denardo’s version of the early twentieth century, society is much the same as in our version of that decade, and gay men needed much more discretion than they will in our time.
As Van Voorhis investigates the murder, he encounters more of the wealthy Hyde Park social circle that the Westbooks move in, along with the undisguised snobbery of the period that sees him, a policeman from a recently emigrated Dutch family, as decidedly not of their class.
Denardo’s expert handling of shifting points of view lets us see how Westbrook and Van Voorhis each deal with the growing attraction between the two men as well as Van Voorhis increasing vision of the circumstances that might had led to the murder. As the steam builds in both hidden channels, the reader realizes that they’re headed for more than one unexpected explosion.
Denardo has written a book that is fun to read on many levels—entertaining steam-punk, puzzling mystery, enticing erotica, and many-layered characters. I look forward to reading more books by this fine writer.
June 15, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
My entire review can simply be this: if you like steampunk, buy this book. If you like a good murder mystery, buy this book. If you like both, then run out and buy this book right now. I was drawn in from the very beginning, and I didn’t put it down until I read the very last page.
Victor was the heart of this story and I enjoyed him to pieces. He is kind and stalwart and determined. Everything a good detective should be. He thoughtfully and methodically sifted through the clues and put the pieces together, and he took me along for the ride. I felt for him as he suffered through disparagement from the upper class. I wanted nothing more than for him to get the man and solve the crime. I was completely invested in him and his journey.
Read Kris's review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
My entire review can simply be this: if you like steampunk, buy this book. If you like a good murder mystery, buy this book. If you like both, then run out and buy this book right now. I was drawn in from the very beginning, and I didn’t put it down until I read the very last page.
Victor was the heart of this story and I enjoyed him to pieces. He is kind and stalwart and determined. Everything a good detective should be. He thoughtfully and methodically sifted through the clues and put the pieces together, and he took me along for the ride. I felt for him as he suffered through disparagement from the upper class. I wanted nothing more than for him to get the man and solve the crime. I was completely invested in him and his journey.
Read Kris's review in its entirety here.
July 10, 2016
A very interesting steampunk story, though the real star is the murder mystery of why someone would kill Permelia Westbrook.
Victor Van Voorhis is called in to investigate the death of a higher class citizen in her own home. In doing so, he is introduced to a man to whom he has an immediate attraction. The problem is, Permelia's brother-in-law, Abraham Westbrook, can only be considered a possible suspect for the murder. There are additional problems, Abraham is a widower, with three young children, and probably not interested in Victor at all.
As it turns out, Abraham's been hiding a secret - that, despite his marriage, he prefers men. And he's definitely interested in Victor, and willing to take some chances to get him. Unfortunately, the police investigation takes precedence, and both men want to find out why Permelia was killed, and what secrets her death was meant to cover up.
An enjoyable read with intriguing characters.
Victor Van Voorhis is called in to investigate the death of a higher class citizen in her own home. In doing so, he is introduced to a man to whom he has an immediate attraction. The problem is, Permelia's brother-in-law, Abraham Westbrook, can only be considered a possible suspect for the murder. There are additional problems, Abraham is a widower, with three young children, and probably not interested in Victor at all.
As it turns out, Abraham's been hiding a secret - that, despite his marriage, he prefers men. And he's definitely interested in Victor, and willing to take some chances to get him. Unfortunately, the police investigation takes precedence, and both men want to find out why Permelia was killed, and what secrets her death was meant to cover up.
An enjoyable read with intriguing characters.
June 20, 2014
Great steampunk world, strong whodunit murder mystery with a believable romance. I enjoyed both the setting and the characters so much that I hope this is just book one in a series. The romance ends abruptly so I'd love to see our rich eccentric inventor build a life with our middle class copper.
December 3, 2018
This is an absolutely delightful, old fashioned murder mystery. There is romance but it takes second place to the mystery. Good writing, good story, quirky characters.
August 11, 2016
2.5 stars - Good story, but it did lag here and there.
February 20, 2021
This was a steampunk mystery. The story was pretty slow because the wealthy people here were asshole and they hardly helped the investigation. But as a whole, it's an okay read.
August 10, 2015
Story was pretty good, writing was okay.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews